Page 4 of Chasing Dreams at Wagging Tails Dogs' Home

Peering inside, Poppy opened her mouth in shock as a bedraggled dog looked up at her, his dark eyes sad and sunken.

‘Oh, sweetheart.’

Gingerly, she lifted the dog into her arms and tucked him under her cardigan. He was so light she could hardly feel him at all. She looked down the lane and sighed. The car was long gone. The poor dog dumped and forgotten.

As she turned back to the gate, she glanced at the box again and reached down as she noticed an envelope taped to the side of it. She tugged it off before slipping it into her pocket.

‘Let’s get you inside and comfortable and then we can see what your so-called owner has to say.’

Once inside again, Poppy lowered the dog to the floor and leaned back on her haunches. She wasn’t the best at determining different breeds, but she was certain this little one was a cockapoo. Ben’s parents had a cockapoo called Samuel, a sweet little thing. Although this one in front of her was a world away from being the happy, healthy dog Samuel was. No, something wasn’t right. The way his eyes didn’t meet hers, no interest in his new surroundings. He’d even let her, a complete stranger, pick him up and carry him without so much of a complaint or an attempt to jump down and walk.

The dog sank to the floor in front of her, his paws out in front of him, seemingly too tired to explore the reception area, sniff at all the new smells or cock an ear to listen to the sounds of the other dogs barking. She watched as he slowly lifted his head a centimetre before coughing a deep, rasping cough.

She glanced around the reception area, searching for where Aunt Flora kept the blankets before giving up. She shrugged out of her cardigan and laid it over the dog, covering his dull matted fur before pulling the envelope from her pocket. She read the short letter before laying it down and reaching for the phone.

‘Alex? Is that Alex?’

‘Hi, it certainly is.’ Alex’s cheerful voice wafted down the phone line. She’d never met him, but his voice oozed kindness.

‘Hi, you don’t know me but I’m Poppy, Flora’s niece. I’m in the reception and she told me to ring you if I had any problems.’ She could hear the urgency in her voice.

‘Poppy. Hi, Flora said you were coming. What’s up?’

‘A dog has just been dumped at the gates, in a box, with a letter and the letter says…’ she grabbed the piece of paper again ‘… it says “Please look after Dougal. He’s poorly and I have no money for vet’s bills.” He’s not well at all. Very skinny and coughing. Do you think it’s kennel cough? What if the other dogs catch it?’

Poppy chewed her bottom lip and glanced towards the door to the kennels.

‘Oh, bless him. He sounds in a bad way. All the dogs have had their vaccinations, but he probably needs to be taken straight to the vet if he’s that bad. I haven’t got my car today. Did Flora and Ginny take the van?’

She stood up and looked out of the window. ‘Yes, they did.’

Alex sighed. ‘I don’t suppose you’re insured for Flora’s car, are you?’

‘Yes, yes, I am. She said she’d put me on the insurance.’

‘Great. Are you okay taking him and I’ll make my way back with Ralph now? Just ask our vet, Gavin, to pop the charges on the tab. He only charges for medication at cost price anyway. He’s good like that.’

Poppy nodded and grabbed her aunt’s car keys from the bookshelf behind the counter.

‘Which vet’s is it?’ She picked up a card from the counter. ‘Don’t worry, I’ve found it.’

‘Great. Well, good luck and let me know if there’re any problems.’

‘Will do.’ Ending the call, Poppy gently picked Dougal up and carried him to her aunt’s car.

3

‘Dougal?’ the receptionist called.

Looking up, Poppy scooped Dougal from her lap and stood up, glad not to have to sit on the hard plastic chairs – which seem compulsory in every waiting room – a moment longer.

‘Here,’ she said.

‘Come on through.’

Inside the small treatment room, the smell of antiseptic was strong, and the walls covered in glossy posters. Poppy gently lowered the small cockapoo onto the surface of the shiny black examining table and stroked Dougal’s ears.

‘Oh dear, oh dear, what have we got here then?’ The vet stepped back to allow them through before closing the door behind them. The vet was tall and well-built and the way he held his shoulders back seeped confidence as his presence filled the room.

---